Gate-Gate, aka WTF Seattle?

Councilmember Nick Licata hears a Hoo. And wants the truth, not just answers. Photo by Mike Siegel, Seattle Times

The front page of today’s Seattle Times is a study in frustration. Let’s review, shall we?

• Item one: Seattle Fire Chief accused of retaliating against a whistleblower by demoting him.
• Item two: And what was he blowing the whistle about? Well, that would be a Fire Department Lieutenant failing to bill Qwest Field $200,000 for services, and demanding two backstage passes for a Hannah Montana concert.
• Item three: Snow Gate lives on, as a Seattle Times investigation reveals that the City Department of Transportation plowed roads between Mayor Nickels’ neighborhood to downtown, around Lakeside School, and in Laurelhurst, neglecting actual key roads.
• Item four: Nicole Brodeur goes in on the City for the high pay of top officials during hard times.

The most important note from the entire affair: Hannah Montana. Hannah freaking Montana. What sort of scandal is that? Who chooses to break the law by extorting, and then decides, “you know, my fully grown partner and myself would really really like to see Hannah Montana.” Seriously?

It’s indicative of this whole amazing scene – no single aspect is a giant killer, but together, like an army of Lilliputians, they raise serious questions about the city’s effectiveness.

So what do we call this conflagaration of dumbness? What name could possibly summarize this mosquito cloud of mini-scandals that have formed, Voltron-like, into a full front page of embarassments? Suggest some names here, and we’ll see what sticks!